Karnataka HC orders inquiry into Medical Record Tampering in Assault Case

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has ordered a departmental inquiry against two doctors from Chigateri District Hospital, Davanagere following an unusual case of tampering with medical records. The court’s action comes in response to two conflicting wound certificates issued regarding the same incident. 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to secure the affidavit of a doctor at the District hospital at Chigateri, Davanagere regarding the second wound certificate issued to a complainant in a case of alleged assault.

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The issue began when Manjunath, a resident of Bhadravathi, Shivamogga, claimed he was assaulted on April 13, 2023, by six advocates—some of whom represented his wife in a legal dispute. Following the alleged attack, he sought medical examination at Bhadravathi Taluk Hospital, where the on-duty doctor issued a wound certificate stating that his injuries were minor.

However, dissatisfied with this report, Manjunath travelled to Davanagere and underwent another medical examination at Chigateri District Hospital. This second report reportedly presented a different assessment of his injuries.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, in his order, stated that a radiologist, tampered with the medico-legal case X-ray report, while the on-duty doctor issued a false wound certificate and submitted an affidavit to the high court that was evidently inconsistent with the records. He stressed that such actions cannot be overlooked, as they not only threaten the credibility of the healthcare system but also risk encouraging unethical practices if left unchecked.

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According to TOI, "The X-ray report, on the face of it, is a fabricated, forged, and tampered document. The X-ray initially conducted is struck off, and an X-ray of the nasal bone is indicated," the judge further noted. The earlier wound certificate was issued by Dr JM Preethi, a specialist working in Bhadravathi taluk hospital, who examined Manjunath about 12-14 hours earlier, stating that his injuries were simple in nature, the judge further pointed out in his order.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 28, 2025, when further action will be decided.